Vehicle



Nov' 28 1944 BLOCH ETAL 2,363,636

VEHICLE Filed Feb. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l mm?" y INVENTOM,

' 20 umm Moat d ,/l 5)/ Gema@ T1.. Rr'ms NOV. 28, 1944. A. BLQCH ETAL 2,363,636

VEHICLE Filed Feb. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

UNIL-ux Bleak. mui. BY Gqfe l 04015 Patented Nov.. 28, 1944 sitions.

other positions. Fig.` 3 is a diagrammatic viewrof asecond emv bodiment of a chassis according to the invention;

N UNITED STATES EPATEN VEHICLE Arthur Bloch, Jamaica, and George R. Arons,

New York, N. Y. n

Application February 1o, `194,2, seria1N6.43o,1ss claims. (o1. 23o-29) The invention relates to improvements in vev hicles having at leasttwo wheel axles, particularly to improvements `in baby carriages, invalids roll chairs, invalids carriages, bicycles,` `tricycles` andso like and more particularly to improvements in the chassis of such vehicles. g

One object of the invention is to provide means `adapted to facilitate the lifting of vehicles to a higher level or over obstructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide means adapted to facilitate the lowering of vehicl'es of the 4class `described to a lower level.

Another object of the invention resides in a babyl carriage, an invalids roll chair or a similar vehicleof the class described and` isto provide `means `bywhich the pushing movement conven.. `tonally used for moving such vehiclesis transformed into and made eifective substantially as a pulling and liftingforce. We have found that such transformation reduces the effort to be applied in overcoming obstructions andin lifting a vehicle to a` higher level very substantially.

. Another `object of the invention `is. to provide shock absorbing means for described. n I n Other and further objects and advantagesof vehicles of the class `the invention will become apparent from the scope of` the invention indicated by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings several embodi-V ments ofthe invention are shown.

` Fig. .1 shows diagrammatically the chassisuof a n manually operated `vehicle having two small rear wheels l andtwo larger front wheels 2. `The rear wheels' are rotatably mounted` on an axle 3 and the front wheels on an axle 4, Oneor more guiding arms 5 are pivotally connected with front axle ll.y One `ortwo connectingrods Bare pivotally connected with rear axle 3 and the free end of `is upwardly inclined from the rear axle toward the i `vehicle is indicated by a rectanglel 8 resting Aon` connecting rod or .rods 6. The forward direction guiding arm or arms 5r Ahandle 1 is rigidly secured to connecting rod or rods 6. The length of i guiding arms 5 andthe diameter of rear wheels 3 are such that the lposition of connecting rods 6 front axle as shown in the drawing. The weight of the vehicle body andlly `load placed on the of the vehicle is indicated byanarrow.

` It is assumed that the vehicle `ismoved over a horizontal plane and shall be lifted upon curb 9. When the vehicle is .freely moving over a horizontal plane connecting rod 6 and guiding arm 5` are in positions shown by full lines.` As soon as front wheel 2 strikes the edge of the curb, the y free movement of `thefront wheels is arrested. f

' Sincethe .pushingforce Vexertedvonhandle 1 in order to movethe vehicle forward is effectiveat Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of `a chassis of a i vehicle according to the invention in different po- Fig. 2 shows achassis accordingto Fig. `1 in the chassis is shown in different positions.`

Fig. 4 shows other positions of a chassis accord-v Fig.`5` shows a side view ofa baby carriage according` to the invention. Fig. 6 shows a section along line `6--6 of. a`

chassis of a baby carriage according to Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a section of another embodiment of a chassis of a baby carriage according `to the invention. i o n Fig. `8 shows a side view of another embodiment Aof a baby carriage having a chassis according to n the invention. c

Fig; `9 shows 'a' section along line 9e-9 of a i chassis ofa baby carriage according to Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 shows a diierent embodiment of a de-` tail of a baby carriage according to the invention.

least` partly in the direction of the, axis `of `connecting rod 6, the connecting rod and1 guiding arm 5 will be gradually moved` intothe `position shown in Fig. `1 by dotted lines. Inthis` position the pivot `point Ibetween guiding arm 5 and connecting rod 6 is ahead of `axle lland raisedV to about the same level or somewhat higher than the plane of curb 9. As soon as the front wheels have i reached the curb, the various parts of the chassis fwill return to their original positions, which is indicated by dash-.dotted lines. We have found f `that due tothe upward inclination of` the connecting rod land its pivotal connection between the front and rear of the chassis, greatlyfacilii tates the overcoming of any obstructions in the path of the chassis. 'I'he liftingiofa chassis `over overlap each otherpartly.` Other means are to :n `reduce theradius of `the rear wheels relative to the front wheels or to `shorten the length of guiding arms 5.` A further improvement can be ob- T OFFICE tained by arranging handle 'I in such a, manner that a large component of the force exerted upon this handle is efEective in the direction of the axis of connecting rod or rods 6. The theoretically ideal arrangement of handle 'i is of co-urse to dispose handle 'l in alignment with connecting rod 6. However, in practice a compromise as to the disposition of handle 'I will be necessary t0 permit a convenient .pushing of the vehicle.

Fig; 2 shows the lowering of the chassis from a higher plane IZ to a lower plane As long as the vehicle is moving freely on the higher plane, the various elements of thea chassis will be in the positions indicated by-full lines, in particular guiding arms will be in asubstantially vertical position. As soon as front wheels-s" begin to leave higher plane I2 they will fall downward due to the pivotal connection between-connecting rod 6 and guiding arm 5. Pivot pointflll between these two elements 6 and 5 and guiding `arm :oraarms 52Will fassume thepositionsindicated inrFig. Zby" dotted lines.

'-The arrangement 'shown in .Figs. f1 f. and. 2 can be used `for chassis having two wheels,A '.three wheels four :wheelsy ormore.` IItLis essential Vonly 1.

thattwo wheellb'aseslare provided an'dthatwheels and -faxles-are suspended :and connected .as de- `scribed.

The chassisv diagrammatically 'shown infFigs.: 3 Handi.' 4 comprisesfrontl lwheels. I 3i andfrear fwheels' fI'4 having equal or substantially equal-di'ameters The frontwheels are mounted'fon.`u an axle |5sand V1therearwheels on an ax-lel` I6. 'The chassis 'shown inFigs l3 arid A isA particularly suitable 1 for ve- 1 usable forfchas'sis'f' havingttwd* three for" more vthan ifour wheels.

At least 1 one 1 guiding zarm fI'I .is `pivotally connected'with axle' 1125. At leastionesecondiguiding ing arm or-:arms 1I8f`being flongerthan guiding larm o'r-arms 'I'I. -iltfleast` one connecting rod "I9 "fconnects thef'two {guiding f arms fand lis pivotal'ly Lsecured tothesefarms at pivot points' and"'2|.

'Due'vto the unequalleng'th ofguidingiarms I'I land'y I8, connecting rod I19fisfdisposediinaI position 'upwardly inclined I'from jits'rear axle connection 'toward its Vfront axler connection. HThe load resting` upon f the chassis isI indicated by 'rectangle"'8. -Ahand1e"2'2 iis `rigidly connected-withconnec'ting larinlfl. 'The handle is Aarranged insuch anangul *lar position that anypushing'force exertedupon fthishandle is atleast partly effectivefinfthef di- -rection of the axisofconnecting rod'IS.

'As long `as "front and-rearwheels-varev `resting v Hon' a/horizontal 'planet-23; the various parts 'ofthe 'chassis are impositions indicated byfull lines. i4Itis now assumed'thefchassis 'shallbe'lifte'don a -curb 24. v4As soon asfront wheels |3 strikeagainst y 'theedge of thev curb and the pushing force-"ex- `erted fuponhandle322' is continued,'theV `various pivotal parts-ofthe chassis' including connecting rvrod I9 move into'thelpositionsfindicated by dotted lines. 'Due to the-'upwardly inclinedr position of connectingv rod-5 I9 a' strong lifting' force isfexerted Upon the front wheels'fan'dthese Willeasilyfglide Y ingon 1' the` curb i the various' parts assume posif'tions f indicated inrv Fig. y3 by dash-'dotted lines.

'Fig.-'4'illustrates theactionsof various pivotal j elements Y of theL chassis whenY itl is lowered 'from *higher plane 2-'4 vto lowerlplane 23. vAssoon'as front wheels I3 passover theedgeof thef'higher `plane the wheels fall down due tothe weightand v'-thelpivotal :connection between "axle |55, guiding arm I1 and guiding rod I9. The various parts of the chassis resume positions indicated by full lines in Fig. 4. In this position guiding arm |`I and connecting rod I9 form an obtuse angle. As 5 soon as Wheels I4 pass over the edge of the upper level 24 they also descend. Guiding arm I8 and connecting rod |9 will resume positions Shown in Fig. 4 by dotted lines after the downward move mentv of `the rear wheels. As soon as the move- 10 mentfof the chassis is continued onthe lower level, the various parts will again resume the pov g :sition shown in Fig. 3 by full lines.

Fig. 5 illustrates the application of the inven- =tion to a baby carriage. The baby carriage com- 15.,.prisesfa-body 25 of ordinary design, two front wheels 26 and two rear wheels 2'I. The front ,wheels are rotatably mounted by means of suitable bearings-'for instance roller bearings 28 on `an .-.axle 29. The rear wheels are rotatably l0 mounted by means of bearings 39 on an axle 3|.

Axle Ellis rotatably mountedin bearings of'fconventional'design, for instance roller bearings32.

lBoth-endsofjaxle' 3| are rbent off twice vtoform I 30 '-journals correspond'topivotpiointsl IETand IS of vfFigl' 3, y:bent oi sections lcorrespondtothe'guiding arms f of Fig. 13 fand the rotatable mounting o'fl theA axles in bearings `92 correspond '..to :pivots fr2li-'and' 2| of '*Figi 3'. 'Rear'faxle'i|`and`f1'0ntaxle "'hleslhavingfffour Wheels "HOWever. tisA 11801535 v:zeareicormecteufbycarnage:sprmgsas. arnese 1 springs-:which may. be of conventional' `desi'gnflaire frigidly connectedto bearings l"32fo'f frorit'::and

l rear axles by-'any "suitable means, -for instance 5boltsorrivetsA-BQ. It is'obvious that'the approxif '10 mately l straight l spring :sections connecting front and rearaxles correspond to "-thefconnectinfgirod or rods of-Figs.' 3 andfl.

` The "carriage body 255 7is suspended l in La Iconf-venti'onal manner-by means of bolts i231' secured 45 to the carriage body. lThese bolts 31 are-secured to thesprings' by intermediate leather -orjrnetal Lstrips '138 ywhich -in turn are `pivotally `'affixed tto springs at pivotpoints39. "Inorderito'push the Ycar a handle is provided. Howeveryitfis also possible to connectlthenandie rigidly-with springs 35 or axle3l. `Handlef49 Vor anyfther handle is varranged in suchr a manner that at' least parto-f the pushing force exerted upontheh'andle is transmittedvto the spring in the directionfof "'55 the axis of the spring 'section connecting'rear "willbe effective in the direction'of'the springiaxis will bethe higher the 'more the handleis'far- 00 *ranged in alignmentl with the axis i' fthe spring section connecting rear and fronti-axles. Howyever, in practice acertz'iin` compromise Willhave to be made in order to permit a'convenient pushing of thefcarriage.

` chassis is'easily understandable "fromftheffpreviyously described figures. `As`long as thef-baby carriage moves over the even ground thefva'rious parts remain `inthe lposition shown'iinFi'g. 5. 'As lsoon fas the Efront Vwheelsl'strike against fj'an obstruction, front axle 3| and with'v it fthe Fs'pring sections pivotallyfconnected to it will berthrown 'forward and assume" a position indicated iinrdilig. yi'dottedilines. Dueitothe upwardly inclined 75' 'position `of the f spring #sections f connecting tithe The 'operation of the guiding "'systemof "the" 4absorbing obstructions independently.,

axles, bearings 32 corresponding. to pivot point 20 vin Fig. 3 aremovediahead of therotationcenters i `ofthe front wheels andtraised to` orabove the level ofthe obstructions. Consequently, the front` `wheels willeasily glide `on and over the obstruction. `When the carriage is to be lowered 'from a higher level to a lower level, the front wheels will automatically descend tov the lower` level due to the swinging suspension of the wheel axles as has been described in connection with Fig. 4. The

rear wheels will also descend as soon as they leave the higher level. The carriage springs due to their inherent elasticity and theirelastic suspen- Asiontwill easily yield to the pushing and pulling 'forces exertedupon the axles,` thus permitting a free swinging and pivoting of the axles. i

The modification showin Fig. mis similar toi the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6. i Instead of axles consisting' of one piece, axles are 'provided comprising a central tube `section 49 which is rigidly secured to springs 35 by any suitable means. Centralsection 49 servesto mount two journal sections 4I. Eachijournal `section comprisesawheel journal 42, a bent on? section 43 and a second journal 44 which is rotatably disposed in tubefsection 49 by means of a suitable i bearing; for instance a roller bearing 45 and secured in tube section 49 by a ange 4t and a cover 41. that each wheei is individually suspended, hence Fig. `'7 shows the rear axle. The `front axle may be designed in the same manner as the rear axle or as shown in Fig.l6.` In both cases the bent off .sections of the front axle have to beshorter than` the bent oil sectionsl43 of the rear axle in order to secure the intendedupward inclination of the connecting spring sections.

The operation of the guiding system is apparent from the previous description so that n detailed description is deemed necessary.

Figs. 8 and 9 showanother modification ofthe Y principle of the invention. `Front wheels 2S and rear wheels 2T are suspended by means ofbear ings, for instance ball bearings or roller bearings 48 and 48.` Each bearing consists ofA an inner ring 50 and 58 respectively. rIlhe outer ring 5l and I `is rotatable on the inner ring by means of balls or rollers 52 and 52 respectively. The

wheels are secured to the outer rings so that they can rotate freely around the` inner rings, the

` centers of the rings being also the `rotation ceni ters ofthe wheels. The carriage axles 53 and 53 respectively are secured byany suitablemeansto inner rings 5D and 59' at points 55as shown in 9. The axles are arranged in such a posi- It is apparent from the previous description and the'drawings that the modiiication according to Figs. 8 and 9 corresponds in principle to the chassis diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3.

Point IB of Fig. 3 corresponds to the `rotation center of rear wheels 21, guiding arm I8 corre# spends to the radial distance between the rotation centers of wheels 2'! and the connection` points between axle 53 and inner rings 5i). Pivot;

This arrangement `has the advantage` about their rotation centers. Consequently, the i `connecting `points between axle 53` and inner l `l5 pointA 2l. `corresponds togthe pivotallmounting of `axle 53iin bearings 54. `.'IhelupwardlyV inclined springsections between the axles` correspond to connecting `rod |95 The suspension of the front wheels iswsimilar` to that of the'rear wheels so that no 1 detailed description isV deemed necessary.

As long as `the carriage ison even groundthe various parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 8. But, as soon as the front wheels, or only one ofithemjstrikefagainst a curb; front axle53 i and spring sectionsY pivotally connected to it will move forward, due `toa rotation` of Vrings 50,

rings 58 will be raised and moved ahead of the rotation centers of the front wheels. i,

i Whenthe carriage is; tobe moved from ahigher` l level to a lower level thefront wheels will descend tothe lower levelas soon as theyleavethe `upper level ,due to the mobility of the inner rings `Hrelative to the outer rings`5l. `The inner rings `will simply -swing about theirgrotationcenters. The rear wheels will follow in a similar manner.

Fig. `10 shows a modification of the suspension ,c

`oi? body 25.` In the embodimentspreviouslyshown the swingable intermediate sections 38` are dis- `posed toward the` center of the carriage body. in

i We have found that under certain circumstances it is more advisable to arrange intermediatesec.. tions 38 as shown in Fig. 10. According tothis arrangement intermediate` sections extend from spring connection points 39 toward the edges of f the carriage body. Sections 38 may be disposed 1 is converted into a pulling and `lifting force when the yfront wheels of the carriage strike against `inclined or horizontally.` In other words, the position of the intermediate strips 38 is reversed F vrelative to the springs. Due to the spring sus-` pension shown in Fig. 10, theupward inclination i of the central spring sections becomes steeper i when the frontal guiding arms are moved for,- ward. We .have found that this arrangement increases the ratioof the pushing force which an obstruction, i

. Our invention is not limited to the embodiments` shown, but various changes and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. i

' What we claim as new and desire to by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A vehicle of the class `described comprising a rear `journal, at least one Wheel rotatably mounted on said rear journal, a front journal,

at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said` front journal, at least one guiding arm connected with said front journal, at leastone guiding arm connected with said rear journal, said rst guiding arm being shorter than said second guiding arm, at least one connecting rod connecting said two guiding arms, `said connecting rod being piv-` otally secured to said guiding arms and disposed in a position upwardly inclined from its rear connection" toward its front connection and means for applying a pushing force in the direction of the axis of said connecting rod.

2. A vehicle of the class described comprising i a rear axle, two wheels rotatably mounted on said rear axle, part of said axle being bent to form journals having axis parallel to the axis of,

said rearaxle for said wheels, a front axle, two wheels rotatably mounted on said front axle, part of said front axle being bent to form journals having axis parallel to said front axle for said wheels, said front axle being arranged higher secure i than` said`v rear axle-relative to a horizontal' plane; atil'east onel connecting rod connectingsaidtwo axles, 'said' rod' being pivotally securedV to1 said axles and disposed in at position upwardly,` in.- clined from its rear' axlef connection. towardits front axle connectiona'nd means for applying a pushing force in the direction of the axis ofisaid connecting rod.

3i A vehicle of' the-class described comprising a rear axle, two Wheels rotatably mounted"` on said rear axle, party. of said rear axle being bent to form journals having. axis parallel to the axis of said" rear axle for saidr Wheels, a fronti axle, two Wheels rotatably mounted on said front axle, part of said front axle-being bent to form journals having axis parallelt'o the axis of said front axlefor said` front-` wheels, an carriage' body,

springs' for supporting: said' body.,` at: least one of said'fs-prings being pivotally` connected-' With sa'id ifront'faxle and said rearaxle, thefspring section connecting said tWof axles'. being disposed in a position@ upwardly inclined i `from its r rear connec- 't-ion. toward its.v front. connection' andy a,A handle arranged to transmit a pushing force exerted upon. said handle ati' leastf partly vinathe direction of the axis'4 of the'l5 spring` section connecting' said 4'; A vehicle'. ofi. theiclassf described: comprising two` rearA journals; tWor rear wheels rotatably mounted onrthe rear journals, two front journals, tWo frontw-heelsrrotatably mounted on the front journals, rear-'guiding arms connected withreach of the' rearY journals, front guiding arms connected with. each of thefront journals, the'front guiding arms being shorter than the rear'guid.h ing arms, a carriagerbody, springs for supporting said body, atleastonevof the springs pivotally connecting the` rear guiding armswith the front guiding arms, the spring section connecting the rear guiding arms with the front guiding arms being disposed andv arrangedy in av position upwardly inclinedpfrom its rear connectiontoward its front connection, and means for applying a pushing force substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis` of the connecting spring section.

`5. A Vehicle as describedin claim 4 in com.- bination with a handle arranged to transmit a pushing force upon said handle at least partly in thedirection'of the axis of said spring section connecting the rear guiding'arms Withftheffront guidingarms.

ARTHUR BLOCH'. GEORGE R. ARQNS. 

